Rwanda Holidays
Rwanda is less than half the size of Scotland, but is home to more than eight million people. The country is tucked deep in the heart of Africa, more than 1500 km from the nearest sea port. Within its borders are packed mountains, rivers, lakes, marshes, savannah and forests – including Nyungwe, the largest single remaining tract of montane forest in East and Central Africa. Tea and coffee bushes vie for space on the intensively cultivated hillsides with a patchwork of farms covering the slopes and valleys.
Akagera National Park
Situated at a relatively low altitude on Rwanda’s eastern border with Tanzania, Akagera National Park could scarcely be more different in setting to the cultivated hills and dense forests that characterise much of the country. Dominated by the labyrinth of swamps and lakes that follow the meandering course of the Akagera River, the most remote source of the Nile, this is archetypal African savannah landscape of acacia woodland interspersed with open grassland.
Akagera is big game country with herds of elephant and buffalo emerging from the woodland to drink at the lakes, whilst leopard, spotted hyena and lion are occasionally seen. Giraffe and zebra roam the park, and more than a dozen types of antelope are found here, most commonly impala and topi, but also the statuesque Cape eland, diminutive oribi and secretive bushbuck.
The picturesque lakes of Akagera are home to large pods of hippopotamus, while huge crocodiles soak up the sun with their vast jaws agape. Magically, the air is torn apart by the unforgettable high duetting of a pair of fish eagles, asserting their status as the avian monarchs of Africa’s waterways. Lining the lakes are some of the continent’s densest concentrations of waterbirds, while the connecting marshes are the haunt of the endangered and exquisite papyrus gonolek and the bizarre shoebill stork – the latter perhaps the most eagerly sought of all African birds.
Our preferred lodge in Akagera National Park is:
Akagera Game Lodge
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is an extraordinarily beautiful inland sea enclosed by steep, green, terraced hills along the Congolese border. Three resort towns, Gisenyi, Kibuye & Cyangugu stand on the littoral, connected by a twisting road that tumbles through lush plantain fields and relic patches of misty rainforest to offer sweeping views over the blue water. It is one of the classic road journeys in all of Africa. There is also a charter boat service on the lake connecting the three towns.
Gisenyi is the most developed of these resorts and lies less than an hour’s drive from the Parc National des Volcans. There is a sandy beach lined with swaying palms and colonial-era hotels that exude an atmosphere of tropical languor. At Kibuye to the south, tourist activities are centered on a modern lakeshore guest house overlooking pine-covered hills. Different again is Cyangugu, close to the Nyungwe Forest, whose more subdued tourist development is compensated for by a stirring setting of curving inlets winding into narrow valleys.
Away from the main resorts, Lake Kivu offers visitors rewarding glimpses into traditional African culture. Here, fishermen ply the water in dugout canoes unchanged in design for centuries, while colourfully dressed ladies smoke traditional wooden pipes and troubadours strum sweetly on stringed iningire (traditional ‘guitars’). The birdlife is fantastic: flotillas of pelicans sail across the open water, majestic crowned cranes preen their golden crests in the surrounding swamps, while jewel-like malachite kingfishers hawk silently above the shore.
Our preferred lodges on Lake Kivu include:
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Cormoran Lodge
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Extending for 1,000 square kilometres across the majestic hills of south-east Rwanda, Nyungwe National Park is the largest block of montane forest in East or Central Africa, and one of the most ancient, dating back to before the last Ice Age. A uniquely rich centre of floral diversity, the forest has more than 200 different types of tree, as well as a myriad of flowering plants including the other-worldly giant lobelia and a host of colourful orchids.
Nyungwe is most alluring for its primates: 13 species in all, including mankind’s closest living relative the chimpanzee. The forest is also home to the handsome L’Hoest’s monkey and hundred-strong troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angola colobus.
The most important ornithological site in Rwanda, Nyungwe harbours almost 300 bird species of which two dozen are restricted to a handful of montane forests on the Albertine Rift. The avian highlights of Nyungwe include the great blue turaco, giant hornbill and red-breasted sparrowhawk.
An extensive network of well-maintained walking trails leads through the forest to various waterfalls and viewing points. The reserve can readily be visited as a day trip from the towns of Butare and Cyangugu. Nyungwe does, however, deserve more time: those who wish to track chimps and see several varieties of smaller primate will need at least two days here – and dedicated birdwatchers might never want to leave!
Our preferred accommodation in Nyungwe National Park is:
ORTPN Resthouse
Parc National des Volcans
The rainforests of the Virunga Volcanoes are the last refuge of the Mountain Gorilla. The lush slopes of the volcanoes provide an appropriately dramatic natural setting for what is perhaps the most poignant and thrilling wildlife experience to be had anywhere – to see the Mountain Gorilla in its natural habitat.
It is this beautiful mountain habitat that leapt to fame as the adopted home of the famous primatologist Dian Fossey, immortalised in the film ‘Gorillas in the Mist’. It was here that she carried out her most important and pioneering studies into the behaviour of the rare mountain gorilla. That mountain gorillas survive today is largely thanks to Dian, who is buried at Karisoke, her research centre in the Virungas. Roughly half the world’s population of approximately 650 gorillas are resident on the Rwandan slopes of the Virungas, where four habituated groups – ranging in size from 7 to 37 individuals – can be visited on a daily basis.
Gorilla trekking is done with park rangers. Once the gorillas are located, you are allowed to stay a maximum of one hour with the gorilla family visited. It is not possible to predict the time required for trekking in any one day – this depends upon the gorilla family allocated and the location of that family.
Although the main attraction is trekking to see the magnificent mountain gorilla – perhaps one of the most dramatic, thrilling and poignant wildlife experiences possible – there are other activities on offer, which include visiting:
- community projects, basketwork and pottery
- the conservation and socio-economic work of SACOLA and the Rwandese authorities
- the lava flows outside Ruhengeri town
- vibrant and colourful local markets and villages
- visits to Dian Fossey memorial and research centre
The national park is also home to the rare and endangered Golden Monkey, which is characterised by a bright golden body, cheeks and tail contrasting with its black limbs and crown. Over the last few years one of the groups has been habituated and to watch these delightful and nimble little primates play in the bamboo thickets is a fabulous experience.
There are also a number of mammals in the park including bush pigs, bushbuck, spotted hyena and black-fronted duiker as well as 180 species of birds.
Our preferred lodges in PNV include:
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Volcanoes Virunga Lodge
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Rwanda’s primary attractions lie in the Parc National des Volcans where the endangered mountain gorilla survives amongst the deep forests of the Virunga volcanoes. The PNV lies just a few hours drive north of Kigali and thus makes a convenient base for gorilla tracking. Elsewhere in this truly stunning country the adventurous can visit the lakes and savannah plains of Akagera, Nyungwe and the shimmering waters of Lake Kivu – all within a day’s drive of each other.
Gorilla Encounter
Highlights of this itinerary:
• The lush rainforest of the Virunga Volcanoes
• Go tracking for the endangered Mountain Gorilla
• Optional visit to Diane Fossey’s grave
This is a suggested itinerary and all arrangements can be tailored to your specific requirements
Day 1 – Depart London Heathrow
Day 2 – Arrive Kigali – Transfer to Parc National des Volcans – Sabinyo Silverback Lodge – 3 nights
Day 3 – Gorilla Tracking
Day 4 – Optional activities
Day 5 – Transfer to Kigali – afternoon city tour – Kigali Serena Hotel – 1 night
Day 6 – Transfer to airport for departure flight
Day 7 – Arrive London Heathrow
2012 price from £1,476 per person
(Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room excluding the cost of international flights London/Kigali/London).
Discover Rwanda
Highlights of this itinerary:
• Explore the lesser known parks of Akegera & Nyungwe Forest
• Go tracking for the endangered Mountain Gorilla
• Relax on the shores of Lake Kivu, Africa’s sixth largest lake
This is a suggested itinerary and all arrangements can be tailored to your specific requirements.
Day 1 – Depart London Heathrow
Day 2 – Arrive Kigali – Transfer to Akagera Lodge – 2 nights
Day 3 – Full day exploring the park
Day 4 – Transfer to Parc Nationals des Volcans – Mountain Gorilla View Lodge – 3 nights
Day 5 – Gorilla Tracking
Day 6 – Morning optional activities, afternoon transfer to Kigali – Mille des Collines – 1 night
Day 7 – Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park – Nuyngwe Forest Lodge – 3 nights
Days 8 & 9 – Two full days of nature walks and chimp tracking in the park
Day 10 – Transfer to Lake Kivu – Cormoran Lodge – 2 nights
Day 11 – Full day at leisure to explore the lake
Day 12 – Transfer to Kigali – Hotel des Milles Collines – 1 night
Day 13 – Transfer to airport for flight to London Heathrow
Day 14 – Arrive London Heathrow
2012 price from £3,776 per person
(Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room excluding the cost of international flights London/Kigali/London).